Nigeria face Russia in Nizhny Novgorod on Tuesday, 6 October. Here’s the kick-off time, Eric Chelle’s new-look squad, the withdrawals, Russia’s form and our prediction.
Nigeria vs Russia Prediction: Friendly Preview, Squad and Kick-off
Result: the match finished Russia 3-3 Nigeria. Read our Russia 3-3 Nigeria match report.
Updated 6 October 2026 (match day): Raphael Onyedika, Ridwan Abdulrasaq, Moses Usor and Suleiman Mubarak have also dropped out, leaving Chelle with 18 players. Kick-off is 5pm WAT.
Nigeria vs Russia on Tuesday is Eric Chelle’s first game since the 3-0 defeat in Guinea-Bissau, and he’s taking a very different group to Nizhny Novgorod. Captain Wilfred Ndidi and six other invited players have withdrawn, Ademola Lookman, Alex Iwobi and Calvin Bassey aren’t in the squad, and several uncapped players could make their debuts. Here’s the kick-off time, the squad, Russia’s form and our prediction.
When and where is Nigeria vs Russia?
Russia host Nigeria at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium on Tuesday, 6 October 2026, with kick-off at 7pm Moscow time, which is 5pm in Nigeria (WAT). Sport-Express reported that the start was brought forward from 8pm to 7pm Moscow time by agreement with the main broadcaster, so some earlier listings still show the old time. A few Nigerian outlets also list 6pm WAT, which matches the old 8pm Moscow start, so check the broadcaster on the day. It’s an international friendly, so the result doesn’t count towards AFCON 2027 qualifying.
- Fixture: Russia vs Nigeria, international friendly
- Date: Tuesday, 6 October 2026
- Kick-off: 5pm WAT (7pm Moscow time)
- Venue: Nizhny Novgorod Stadium (44,000 capacity), a 2018 World Cup venue
Flashscore carried the confirmation that Nigeria will play the October friendly, and every confirmed date for the rest of the year is on our Super Eagles fixtures page.
Who is in the Super Eagles squad for Russia?
Chelle has picked a separate, largely experimental squad for this trip, and it has shrunk to 18 available players after the late withdrawals. Only a handful of the players who started in Bissau are involved, and the list leans on fringe and uncapped names.
- Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United), Michael Atata (Ikorodu City), Samuel James (SJK, Finland)
- Defenders (Bright Osayi-Samuel of Birmingham City has withdrawn): Benjamin Fredricks (Brentford), Emmanuel Fernandez (Rangers, Scotland), Isaac James (Alverca), Abdullahi Bewene (Baník Ostrava), Kenneth Igboke, Vince Osuji (Tromsø)
- Midfielders: Raphael Onyedika (Eintracht Frankfurt; withdrawn, club did not release him), Chibuzo Nwoko (Fulham), John Otomewo (Stade de Reims), Stephen Michael (Vendsyssel), Igor Wilfred (Kristiansund), Ridwan Abdulrasaq (Al Wasl; withdrawn), Aderemi Adeoye (Ikorodu City)
- Forwards: Moses Simon (Paris FC), Kelechi Iheanacho (Bursaspor), Akor Adams (Venezia), Peter Edokpolor (Benfica), Abubakar Umar (Famalicão), Abdullahi Umar (Hradec Králové)
Rostov midfielder Ibraheem Mahfus Ajasa, 20, was also reported as a late call-up to cover the midfield withdrawals (Legit.ng). The match-day squad is below 18 names once the withdrawn players are removed, so expect several debuts; we’ll update this page if the NFF confirms the starting XI. Every regular’s club, position and caps are on our Super Eagles squad page. Meanwhile, two Ikorodu City players, goalkeeper Atata and midfielder Adeoye, give the NPFL a rare look-in.
Who has withdrawn from the Nigeria squad?
Seven invited players are unavailable: Wilfred Ndidi, Raphael Onyedika, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Ridwan Abdulrasaq, Victory Akpe, Moses Usor and Suleiman Mubarak. As Vanguard and Legit.ng reported on 5 October, Ndidi has a knock from the Guinea-Bissau game, and Akpe is injured. Eintracht Frankfurt, Birmingham City, Al Wasl and LASK reportedly refused to release Onyedika, Osayi-Samuel, Abdulrasaq and Usor, and Mubarak’s residence permit was not processed in time.
Chelle called up two uncapped replacements, John Otomewo of Stade de Reims for Ndidi and Tromsø defender Vince Osuji for Akpe. With Ndidi out, Moses Simon, the most experienced player in the group, is expected to lead the side, according to Complete Sports. Guardian Nigeria also lists Akor Adams and the returning Kelechi Iheanacho among the main attacking options.
Victor Osimhen is still out injured, as covered in our Osimhen injury update.
Have the Super Eagles arrived in Russia?
Yes. The squad flew in on Saturday 3 October and held its first training session in Nizhny Novgorod that day, with Kelechi Iheanacho, Moses Simon, Akor Adams, Benjamin Fredricks and Emmanuel Fernandez among those who had linked up. Ndidi and Victory Akpe were not on the trip, and Otomewo and Osuji joined as replacements. Pulse Sports reports that goalkeeper Maduka Okoye is not involved either.
Why is Chelle using a new-look squad?
Because a friendly is the cheapest place to find answers after Bissau. Guinea-Bissau beat Nigeria 3-0 on 29 September and moved three points clear at the top of Group L. You can read how that went in our Guinea-Bissau 3-0 Nigeria report.
As a result, Chelle needs more depth before the November double-header against Tanzania. Players such as Fredricks, Osuji, Otomewo and Edokpolor get a first chance to show they belong. That said, the core of the qualifier team will return when the points matter again.
How are Russia shaping up?
Russia come into the game in decent shape. Valery Karpin’s side beat Iran 2-0 in Kazan on 29 September, with Monaco’s Aleksandr Golovin scoring both goals, one of them a free-kick. They then beat Namibia 6-0 in Yekaterinburg on 3 October (score as reported by live-score sites; we have not confirmed the scorers), so Karpin’s side arrive at this game on a high. Pulse Sports reported on 5 October that Golovin is out with an ankle injury, which we have not seen confirmed by the Russian federation, so check the team sheet.
Russia are still banned from FIFA and UEFA competitions, which they have been since February 2022. For that reason, friendlies like this are their only international football, and they treat them seriously. Karpin’s autumn squad includes PSG goalkeeper Matvey Safonov and Zenit defender Igor Diveev.
What happened when Nigeria last played Russia?
The only previous meeting ended 1-1 at Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium on 6 June 2025. Russia led through a 27th-minute Semi Ajayi own goal, and Tolu Arokodare equalised in the 71st minute. Russia had more of the ball that day, so Nigeria will expect a similar test away from home.
What is our Nigeria vs Russia prediction?
We lean towards Russia avoiding defeat, with goals likely to be at a premium. Russia are at home, in form after a 6-0 win and with Konstantin Tyukavin reportedly available. In contrast, Nigeria are missing their captain and six other invited players, and they have only 18 to pick from, and many of this group have never played together.
- Main angle: Russia or draw (double chance)
- Alternative: under 2.5 goals. The last meeting finished 1-1, and new-look sides rarely open up in friendlies.
- Player to watch: Moses Simon. He’s the most experienced Nigerian on the trip and the likeliest source of a goal or an assist.
Friendlies are harder to call than competitive games, because both coaches make lots of substitutions. As a result, keep stakes small. If you do bet, compare prices at 22Bet. For more picks, see our football betting tips for today and the bet of the day.
Where can I follow Nigeria vs Russia?
We’ll publish the confirmed line-ups and the result as soon as they’re in. After Tuesday, the Super Eagles don’t play again until the AFCON 2027 qualifiers against Tanzania in November. In the meantime, the Super Eagles fixtures page has every date and kick-off time.
FAQ: Nigeria vs Russia
What time is Nigeria vs Russia?
Russia vs Nigeria kicks off at 5pm Nigerian time (WAT) on Tuesday, 6 October 2026. That’s 7pm in Moscow.
Who has withdrawn from the Super Eagles squad for Russia?
Captain Wilfred Ndidi, Raphael Onyedika, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Ridwan Abdulrasaq, Victory Akpe, Moses Usor and Suleiman Mubarak are unavailable, leaving 18 players. Victor Osimhen is also out injured, and Lookman, Iwobi and Bassey were not selected.
Where is Nigeria vs Russia being played?
The friendly is at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia. The 44,000-seat ground hosted games at the 2018 World Cup.
Is Wilfred Ndidi playing against Russia?
No. Ndidi has withdrawn from the squad, and Stade de Reims midfielder John Otomewo has been called up in his place. No official reason has been given.
Have Nigeria played Russia before?
Yes, once. Russia and Nigeria drew 1-1 at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow on 6 June 2025. Tolu Arokodare scored Nigeria’s goal.
Does Nigeria vs Russia count for AFCON qualifying?
No. It’s an international friendly. Nigeria’s next AFCON 2027 qualifiers are against Tanzania in November.
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Sources: match date, venue and kick-off from Sport-Express and the NFF announcement; squad from the NFF list as reported by Nigerian media; withdrawals as reported by The Sun and The Guardian (Nigeria); Russia form from Sport-Express.
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